Kokedera

Kokedera (苔寺), also known as the Saiho-ji temple (西芳寺), is a Buddhist temple located in the western part of Kyoto, Japan. It is known for its beautiful and serene moss garden, which covers almost the entire temple grounds.

Kokedera was originally built in 731 as a residence for a nobleman. In 1339, it was converted into a Zen temple and later became known for its unique moss garden, which was created by the famous monk and garden designer Muso Soseki in the 14th century.

Today, visitors to Kokedera can participate in a traditional Buddhist ritual before entering the moss garden. They are required to copy Buddhist sutras, which are ancient religious texts, as a way of focusing their minds and purifying their thoughts. After completing this ritual, visitors are free to explore the moss garden and the rest of the temple grounds.

Due to its popularity and the delicate nature of the moss garden, visits to Kokedera must be arranged in advance through a reservation system. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed per day, so it’s important to plan ahead if you wish to visit this unique and peaceful temple.

Nichi-nichi Sanpai (日々参拝)

Admission	4,000 yen or more
Reservation period	Online Reservations ・From 2 months before your visit to 11:59 PM on the day before your visit (Japan Standard Time). Airmail ・Received from 2 months to 1 month before.
Number of people	Up to 2 people

Ori-ori Sanpai (折々参拝)

・Children’s Day

・Under 30

・Morning Visit (For Saihokai Members)

・Zazen and Japan’s Oldest Dry Landscape Garden (For Saihokai Members)

Getting there

By Train and Walking

• Take the Hankyu Arashiyama Line to Matsuo Taisha Station
• Walk about 20 minutes from the station to the temple

By Bus

From Kyoto Station:

• Take Kyoto Bus number 73 to Kokedera/Suzumushi-dera bus stop
• Journey takes about 1 hour and costs 230 yen one-way
• Bus runs 1-3 times per hour
• From the bus stop, it’s a 2-minute walk to the temple entrance

Details

Phone	+81 75-391-3631
Address	56 Matsuojingatanicho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto, 615-8286
Official Website	https://saihoji-kokedera.com/en/